the then government party in this house, conspired to smear lord ashcroft, and members opposite -- big discounts in order to try to undermine this. he knew about this then. why was nothing done? >> i have to say to the house that i am surprised that this debate, which started with our desire to protect the life of innocent children, should end up with the conservative party more interested in defending lord ashcroft. mr. speaker, i would have thought, i would have thought, that if the honorable member felt there were so many abuses in news international that he knew about at the time, then he would have advised the then leader of the opposition. >> i think the member for giving way. giving way. it is nice to see him in the chamber. >> listen carefully to the honorable member. listen carefully. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i have listened to the honorable member as he has outlined this. can i ask him, does he regret that the previous government held a slumber party for rupert murdoch and for rebekah at checkers? >> i have come to a debate on the future of the media on an issue where the p